Game developer lays off 56 from Decatur office

DECATUR, Ga. – CCP Games announced Monday they were ending the long-running development of the World of Darkness massively multiplayer online game (MMO) they were developing locally. The cancellation resulted in the layoff of 56 employees in the company's Decatur location.

The project had been underway in various stages since 2006.

CCP's CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson released a statement Monday, giving thanks to the employees who worked on the aborted project.

The decision to end the World of Darkness MMO project is one of the hardest I've ever had to make. I have always loved and valued the idea of a sandbox experience set in that universe, and over the years I've watched the team passionately strive to make that possible.

I would like to give special thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make the World of Darkness MMO a reality, especially the team members affected by this decision. Their considerable contribution to CCP will not be forgotten, and we wish them well.

To our current and former employees and fans of World of Darkness, I am truly sorry that we could not deliver the experience that we aspired to make. We dreamed of a game that would transport you completely into the sweeping fantasy of World of Darkness, but had to admit that our efforts were falling regretfully short. One day I hope we will make it up to you.

The company's remaining Decatur-based staff will concentrate on games set in the EVE Universe.

The Decatur location is one of two North American locations for Iceland-based CCP Games. The other American location is in San Francisco. The World of Darkness series of games and literature was initially developed by Decatur-based White Wolf Publishing. White Wolf merged with CCP in 2006.